We are excited to bring new innovative approaches to craft arts to Topeka. The Topeka Competition started more than 30 years ago as a venue for craft artists to share their work, ideas and techniques. It began as a local competition, and has grown to include artists from all over America.

The competition is juried: artists enter their work to have it judged for aesthetic quality and technical skill by an outside evaluator. This year’s juror was Sarah Perkins, a metalsmith who teaches at Missouri State University.

Craft media have often been associated with useful things. Art media are often associated with expressive things. Artists who work in craft media make both useful and expressive things, with delightful results.

Clay, metals, jewelry, fibers, wood, glass, sculpture, leather, and mixed media are the media eligible for this competition. When artists use these media, they choose the materials that will best convey their ideas.

The Friends of the Library sponsors the Topeka Competition, and has done from its beginning. We are grateful for their continued support, and for all of the support they provide to make the Sabatini Gallery and the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library so excellent.

ABOUT THE JUROR

Sarah Perkins received her BA at San Diego State University and her MFA at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and is a Professor at Missouri State University. She is currently serving as a Board Member of the Enamelist Society.

She has shown her work in the USA, India, Canada, Europe and Asia. Her work can be seen in Metalsmith, Ornament, American Craft and in the books The Art of Fine Enameling, Contemporary Enameling, The Penland Book of Jewelry and The Art of Enameling, and she was the juror for the Lark Publications book 500 Enameled Objects.

She has taught numerous workshops around the United States, including at Arrowmont, Penland, San Diego State University, and California College of Art, as well as at Tainan Graduate Institute of Applied Arts in Taiwan and the University of the West of England in Bristol. Sarah has gallery affiliations with Mobilia in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Penland Gallery in North Carolina, and Studio Fusion in London, England.

RELATED EVENTS

Download the TC31 PDF with exhibit info and activity

First Friday Opening ReceptionFriday | December 6 | 5:30 – 8:30 PM | Sabatini Gallery
Join us for food, fun, and a first look at the winning entries. You may have a chance to meet some of the artists because we’ll be announcing Juror and Purchase Awards at 6:30PM. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

January First Friday ArtwalkFriday | January 3 | 5:30 – 8:30 PM | Sabatini GalleryBaby, it’s cold outside! Come warm up with bright colors, warm friends, hearty conversation, and art that will make you feel bright from head to toe. Share your thoughts about these exciting, innovative works, and pick up information about our 2014 exhibition schedule.

Art, Ethics, and LeadershipSaturday | JAnuary 19 | 2:30 – 3:30 PM | Lingo Story Room
Dr. Michael Tansey of Rockhurst University explains how leaders use art. For example, artists can legitimize a leader and add value to the leader’s message. Discover more about these artists’ techniques for conveying ideas and convincing people that the leader is worth following. FREE!

Gathering STEAM: Getting in GearSunday | January 19 | 2:30 – 3:30 PM | Lingo Story Room
Use science, technology, engineering, art, and math concepts as you investigate, create, and collaborate in this hands-on, problem-solving monthly program. Things get rolling as we explore the beauty and science of gears. FREE, but registration required: 580-4565.